AARP FOUNDATION WOMEN’S SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Mature workers are important and largely untapped resources who have much to offer – not only to businesses, but to the nation. The AARP Foundation is dedicated to creating new opportunities for individuals to re-enter the workforce or obtain better employment so that they will be more financially secure in the second half of life. New job opportunities, however, often require additional skills, time and money. The right education and training can sometimes be out-of-reach, especially for individuals with limited financial resources.
While many individuals benefit from the work of the AARP Foundation, research shows that women are disproportionately at risk of having insufficient resources in the second half of their lives due to lower earnings and different work patterns. The AARP Foundation has established the Women’s Scholarship Program to help women 40+ overcome financial and employment barriers by allowing them to participate in education and training opportunities they could not otherwise afford.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the scholarships, applicants must:
¥ Be a female age 40 or over (as of October 31, 2007);
¥ Be able to demonstrate financial need;
¥ Submit a proposal for enrollment in an accredited post-secondary school or training program within 6 months of the scholarship award date.
Priority Applicants
Priority will be given to applicants in the following categories:
¥ individuals returning to the workforce after an extended absence;
¥ individuals who are underemployed (in a job with limited pay, limited growth opportunities and limited benefits); or
¥ grandmothers or other female relatives raising another family member’s child/children (with the ability to demonstrate significant financial responsibility for those child/children).
Deadline
The on-line application will be available beginning August 31, 2007. Complete applications must be submitted no later than October 31, 2007. 2008 scholarship recipients will be notified in January 2008. Scholarship funds will be made available shortly thereafter.
Awards
Scholarship awards will range from $500 to $5,000, depending on financial need and the cost of the education or training program. The AARP Foundation will award up to 100 scholarships during the first award cycle.
Scholarships may be used for any course of study at a public or private secondary school, including community colleges, technical schools, and four-year universities. Funds may be used to pay for tuition fees, and books. Scholarship funds will be made payable only to the authorized educational institution.
Scholarships will be awarded for a period of one year or less. Recipients may reapply for the following year’s scholarship program if they continue to meet program eligibility requirements.
Winner Selection
Scholarship winners will be chosen by an independent selection committee established by the AARP Foundation on the basis of financial need, personal circumstances and achievements, educational goals, and the likely impact of the scholarship on their lives and those of their families and communities. Decisions of the selection committee are final.
How to Apply
The program application may only be submitted on-line. The application form and additional information on the scholarship program is available at www.aarp.org/womensscholarship beginning August 31, 2007. Click on the “Apply for a new scholarship” link. Follow the onscreen instructions to apply for an AIN (applicant identification number). Remember to write down the applicant identification number. When prompted, use AFWSP as the access key.
Making Changes to the Application
Return to www.aarp.org/womensscholarship and click the “Apply for a new scholarship” link. Using Log-in Option 2, enter the access key (AFWSP), AIN (applicant identification number), and name to re-enter the application process. Click “Continue” on each tab until arriving at the section that needs to be corrected or updated. It is not necessary to resubmit information unless there is a change in test scores or class rank and/or size, prior to the October 31, 2007 submission deadline.
Checking the Status of Your Application
To check the status of your application, return to www.aarp.org/womensscholarship and click on the “Check Application Status” link. Enter your
Responsibilities of Recipients
Scholarship recipients must provide accurate information at all times. They must be enrolled in an approved educational program within six months of receiving notification of the scholarship award. The must continue their designated educational program for the complete term of the scholarship (barring illness, family emergency, or military service).
Program Administration
To assure complete impartiality in selection of winners and to maintain a high level of professionalism, the program is administered by Scholarship Program Administrators, Inc., a firm that specializes in managing sponsored scholarship programs.
Questions
For additional information regarding the scholarship program contact:
AARP Foundation Women’s Scholarship Program
c/o Scholarship Program Administrators, Inc.
Fax (615) 320-3151
www.aarp.org/womensscholarship (Access Key: AFWSP)
The AARP Foundation is AARP’s affiliated charity. Foundation programs provide security, protection and empowerment for older persons in need. Low-income older workers receive the job training and placement they need to re-join the workforce. Free tax preparation is provided for low- and moderate-income individuals, with special attention to those 60 and older. The Foundation’s litigation staff protects the legal rights of older Americans in critical health, long-term care, consumer and employment situations. Additional programs provide information, education and services to ensure that people over 50 lead lives of independence, dignity and purpose. Foundation programs are funded by grants, tax-deductible contributions and AARP.
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